“You shouldn’t have to fight robots to see something you love” may sound like what a futuristic action movie’s hero says before all hell breaks loose, but it’s actually a creed Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote in a The New York Times op-ed about the proposed Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act.

The BOTS Act proposed making it illegal for automated programs to scoop up tickets by bypassing security software designed to limit ticket sales, and then selling those tickets on second party sites like StubHub for an huge price surge. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman investigated just how much more bots charged for tickets, and, according to that report, found the general increase to be around 49%.

The Act passed the Senate last week and the House of Representatives yesterday, and will now proceed to President Obama for his signature of final approval. It will only be applicable to shows with over 200 people, but violations can now be prosecuted by Federal Trade Commission or individual states.

]]>http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/congress-passes-online-scalping-act/feed/0Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, More Added to Dolly Parton Telethonhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/chris-stapleton-chris-young-dolly-parton-telethon/
http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/chris-stapleton-chris-young-dolly-parton-telethon/#respondFri, 09 Dec 2016 14:34:55 +000099.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Countryhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/?p=252090The latest additions to 'Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund' are Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Big & Rich, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, LoCash, Chris Janson and Montgomery Gentry.]]>After wildfires tore through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, two small mountain resort towns in East Tennessee, recently, Pigeon Forge native Dolly Parton established the My People Fund. The fund provides $1,000 a month for six months to families “whose homes are uninhabitable or were completely destroyed” because of the fires, according to The Boot.

Then, the country star organized a telethon benefit, to raise money for those affected by the fires. The latest additions to Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund are Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Big & Rich, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, LoCash, Chris Janson and Montgomery Gentry. Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers and Alison Krauss were previously announced as performers.

“I’m truly honored that these artists are giving their time and energy to help us raise money for everyone affected by the wildfires,” Parton said in a release. “I’ve got so many great friends in the industry, and I’m so proud that they were so ready to step up and help me help my people in the Smoky Mountains through this telethon and the My People Fund.”

Parton’s benefit event will air December 13 on the Great American Country network, AXS TV, RFD and the Heartland Network from 8 p.m. EST until 11 p.m. EST. A number of other platforms will simulcast the event.

Those looking to donate to the My People Fund can do so now on the Dollywood Foundation website, or via mail:
My People Fund
c/o Dollywood Foundation
111 Dollywood Ln.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

During the telethon, viewers will be able to call 1-866-CARE MORE to donate.

A December 3 update from the Tennessee Emergency Management Association reported that there are 13 confirmed deaths and 100 confirmed injuries due to the fires. During the evacuations, guests of Dollywood’s cabins and DreamMore Resort were relocated; though the theme park itself was unharmed, a dozen of its Smoky Mountain Cabins were damaged or destroyed. According to TEMA, 1,413 structures were damaged or destroyed by the fires.

]]>http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/chris-stapleton-chris-young-dolly-parton-telethon/feed/0Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett Plan 2017 ‘Songs and Stories’ Tourhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/vince-gill-lyle-lovett-2017-songs-and-stories-tour/
http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/vince-gill-lyle-lovett-2017-songs-and-stories-tour/#respondFri, 09 Dec 2016 13:41:22 +000099.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Countryhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/?p=252083"I enjoy shows that are not planned out. This will be two songwriters in the round. It’s informal, so there will be lots of ad-libbing. It will be like little snapshots of our experiences," said Lovett.]]>By Robyn Collins

Country superstars Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett are hooking up for a 2017 edition of their Songs and Stories tour, Pollstar reports.

Their setlist will include solo and duo performances, as well as plenty of laughs. Gill’s website described the two musicians as “the always witty Vince Gill and the reliably wry Lyle Lovett.”

Describing the tour, Gill said, “For a night like this, there is no plan. I know Lyle won’t have a plan, and I won’t either. What he plays will inspire me, and probably vice-versa. It’ll be like playing ping-pong. Whatever song he chooses to sing will inspire the next song that comes out of me.”

Lovett added, “I enjoy shows that are not planned out. This will be two songwriters in the round. It’s informal, so there will be lots of ad-libbing. It will be like little snapshots of our experiences.”

The schedule features six nights in California along with stops in Nevada and Arizona.

]]>http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/vince-gill-lyle-lovett-2017-songs-and-stories-tour/feed/0Taylor Swift, Zayn Malik Collaborate on ‘I Don’t Wanna Live Forever’http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/taylor-swift-zayn-malik-i-dont-wanna-live-forever/
http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/taylor-swift-zayn-malik-i-dont-wanna-live-forever/#respondFri, 09 Dec 2016 13:07:24 +000099.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Countryhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/?p=252080The song marks Taylor Swift's only release this year and her first music since 2014's '1989.']]>By Robyn Collins

Taylor Swift has teamed up with Zayn Malik for the new song “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” which will appear on the upcoming Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack. The song marks Taylor Swift’s only release this year and her first music since 2014’s 1989.

Swift shared the artwork and a clip of the tune on her social media accounts.

The internet is currently angry with Jennifer Lawrence for a story she recently told while appearing on The Graham Norton Show.

Lawrence and her co-star Chris Pratt were promoting their new film Passengers when she recalled an incident that occurred while she was filming The Hunger Games in Hawaii a few years ago.

“We were filming in Hawaii and there were Sacred Rocks … and you’re not supposed to sit on them,” she said. “I, however, was in a wet suit that whole shoot and oh my God they were so good for butt itching!”

Still, the story didn’t stop there, as the Academy Award-winner added that her use the rocks nearly led to the death of a crew member.

“One rock that I was butt-scratching on ended up going loose,” she explained. “It was a giant boulder and it rolled down the mountain and almost killed the sound guy.”

“All the Hawaiians were like ‘Oh my God, it’s the curse!,'” Lawrence recalled. “I’m in the corner going ‘I’m your curse. I wedged it loose with my ass.'”

Though some found J. Law’s story funny, others weren’t too impressed with the anecdote, and they took to Twitter to air their grievances with the actress.

Why would you knowingly disrespect someone's culture and sacred artifacts and brag about it later? Smh Jennifer Lawrence is beyond cancelled

Many are calling for the actress to apologize, though she has not commented on the backlash.

]]>http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/the-internet-is-angry-at-jennifer-lawrence-for-rubbing-her-butt-on-sacred-rocks/feed/0‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant Dies Before Her Show Airshttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/jeopardy-contestant-dies-before-her-show-airs/
http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/jeopardy-contestant-dies-before-her-show-airs/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 21:16:19 +000099.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Countryhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/?p=252074The emotional story has the woman living out her lifelong dream.]]>By: Annie Scaramuzzino

Cindy Stowell of Austin, Texas passed away on Monday at the age of 41 after a long battle with cancer, but not before she was able to live out her lifelong dream of appearing on Jeopardy!

The science content developer applied to be on the show earlier this year through an online test, and later auditioned in-person in Oklahoma City.

As the Jeopardy! process from start to finish is a pretty long one, Stowell asked one of the show’s employee’s if they could give her a timetable of when she might be able to make her appearance due to her declining health.

“Do you have any idea how long it typically takes between an in-person interview and the taping date?” she asked. “I ask because I just found out that I don’t have too much longer to live. The doctor’s best guess is about six months.”

“If there is the chance that I’d be able to still tape episodes of ‘Jeopardy!’ if I were selected, I’d like to do that and donate any winnings to … charities involved in cancer research,” she added.

Lowell was able to make it to the show, which taped in September. At the time of her appearance, her fellow contestants were unaware of her illness.

“When Cindy Stowell taped her appearance on ‘Jeopardy!’ she had Stage 4 cancer,” host Alex Trebek told CNN. “Competing on ‘Jeopardy!’ was a lifelong dream for Cindy, and we’re glad she was able to do so.”

Stowell’s episode of Jeopardy! is set to air on Tuesday, December 13, marking the show’s first-ever airing of a contestant’s participation after their passing.

]]>http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/jeopardy-contestant-dies-before-her-show-airs/feed/0Bridal Celebrations Wedding Dress & Tuxedo Giveawayhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/bridal-celebrations-wedding-dress-tuxedo-giveaway/
http://wycd.cbslocal.com/bridal-celebrations-wedding-dress-tuxedo-giveaway/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 20:19:21 +000099.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Countryhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/?p=252069Enter to win two tickets to Bridal Celebrations event, a bridal gown, bridal veil and jewelry set courtesy of The Wedding Shoppe in Berkley and up to 8 tuxes, shirts, vests, shoes and ties for the groom and up to 7 groomsman courtesy of President Tuxedo. ]]>Enter to win two tickets to Bridal Celebrations event, a bridal gown, bridal veil and jewelry set courtesy of The Wedding Shoppe in Berkley and up to 8 tuxes, shirts, vests, shoes and ties for the groom and up to 7 groomsman courtesy of President Tuxedo. ]]>http://wycd.cbslocal.com/bridal-celebrations-wedding-dress-tuxedo-giveaway/feed/0Linda Lee Calls St. Jude Radiothon While Receiving Chemo, Shares Health Updatehttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/linda-lee-calls-st-jude-radiothon-while-receiving-chemo-shares-health-update/
http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/linda-lee-calls-st-jude-radiothon-while-receiving-chemo-shares-health-update/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 18:01:12 +000099.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Countryhttp://wycd.cbslocal.com/?p=252061"Stage 4 cancer is not a death sentence," Linda Lee said in an emotional phone call. ]]>By: Jon Corrigan

Our 16th annual St. Jude Radiothon carries an even greater somber feel this year with the absence of WYCD’s own Linda Lee as she battles Stage 4 lung cancer.

Despite not being able to personally attend the two-day event at Art Van in Warren, and while receiving her first round of outpatient chemotherapy on Thursday at the Josephine Ford Cancer Center in Novi, Linda made time to call in and chat with Chuck, Rachael and Grunwald during their live broadcast.

You can listen to the emotional audio below.

For more information or to make a donation to WYCD’s 16th annual St. Jude Radiothon, click here.

Beyoncé’s Lemonade may have continued her move beyond the pop/R&B hybrid she’s known for; as she did on 2013’s Beyonce, she blurs genre boundaries. That doesn’t mean that those other genres necessarily accept her.

Apparently, Bey submitted the country-infused song “Daddy Lessons” to the Recording Academy’s country music committee for consideration, but a source close to that committee said it was rejected (via Billboard). Should “Daddy Lessons” have been considered for a country GRAMMY, it would have been eligible for categories like Best Country Song and even Best Country Solo Performance.